Braeden Loe 5th-8th Social Studies
Welcome to my webpage! I am excited to start my second year of teaching! I am a dedicated educator with a love and passion for my subject. I enjoy challenging my students to think critically about their subject content and always provide a basis for their statement when interacting with the academic environment and subject matter.
I graduated from Midwestern State University in 2022 with a Bachelors in Applied Arts and Sciences and Early Childhood Education. I earned my Master's in Information Management Systems in December of 2023. I plan on getting my certificate in educational technology design and another Master's in History soon!
Outside the classroom, I am a foodie, tea enthusiast, reader, and gamer. I always look for excuses to further my learning and love for history by listening to historical podcasts or reading. I have a passion for soccer and am a long-time Manchester United fan and England fan!
My Schedule
Intervention: 7:30-8:00
Character: 8:00-8:15
1st Period 8th Grade U.S. History: 8:15-9:20
2nd Period 5th Grade U.S. History: 9:22-10:22
3rd Period 6th Grade World Cultures: 10:24-11:24
4th Period 7th Grade Texas History: 11:26-12:26
Lunch: 12:28-12:58
5th Period Workshop: 1:00-1:50
Mon/Fri: 8th Tue: 5th Wed: 6th Thur: 7th
6th Period Elective: 1:52-2:37
7th Period Conference: 2:39-3:25
What We Are Learning
8th Grade U.S. History – Fourth Six Weeks
Below is an updated overview of the topics students will be learning in class for the next six weeks, along with ideas for how parents can support learning at home.
Unit 09: Sectionalism – Growing Division (1820s-1850s)
As the U.S. grew, the differences between the North and South became more pronounced. The North was developing an industrial economy with factories and railroads, while the South remained largely agricultural and relied heavily on slavery. These economic and social differences created tensions over issues such as tariffs, states’ rights, and the expansion of slavery into new territories. This period of growing division—known as sectionalism—set the stage for the Civil War.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Talk with your child about why different regions of the U.S. developed in different ways.
✅ Discuss how disagreements over slavery, economics, and government power led to growing tensions.
✅ Watch a documentary or read an article about key events like the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Unit 10: Civil War – The Endangered Union (1860-1865)
Students will explore the causes, major battles, and outcomes of the Civil War. They will learn about Abraham Lincoln’s leadership, the secession of Southern states, and the impact of major events such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address. The Civil War was a defining moment in U.S. history, testing the strength of the nation and leading to the end of slavery.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Discuss how war affects everyday people, including soldiers, families, and enslaved individuals.
✅ Visit a museum, watch a documentary, or explore online resources about the Civil War.
✅ Encourage your child to think about the lasting effects of the Civil War on American society today.
Unit 11: Reconstruction – Rebuilding the Union (1865-1877)
After the Civil War, the U.S. faced the challenge of rebuilding the South and integrating formerly enslaved people into society. Students will examine the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th), which ended slavery, granted citizenship to African Americans, and gave Black men the right to vote. They will also learn about the struggles during this time, such as Black Codes, Jim Crow laws, and resistance to change in the South.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Talk about the difficulties of rebuilding a nation after war and how different people experienced Reconstruction differently.
✅ Discuss how Reconstruction policies shaped civil rights and race relations in the U.S.
✅ Explore books, films, or online resources about the Reconstruction Era and its impact on modern society.
These topics help students understand how the U.S. changed politically, socially, and economically during the 19th century. Your involvement in discussing history at home will strengthen your child’s understanding and critical thinking skills.
5th Grade U.S. History – Fourth Six Weeks
Below is an overview of the upcoming units your child will be exploring in class, along with ways you can support learning at home.
Unit 09: A New Century – Transitioning to a Modern America
As the 20th century began, the U.S. experienced big changes in technology, industry, and daily life. New inventions like the automobile, telephone, and electricity transformed how people lived and worked. Cities grew rapidly, and many immigrants arrived in search of new opportunities. However, these changes also brought challenges, such as crowded living conditions and the need for better worker protections.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Talk with your child about how new inventions changed people’s lives in the early 1900s.
✅ Visit a museum or watch a documentary about early innovations like airplanes, electricity, and assembly lines.
✅ Encourage your child to think about how technology continues to shape the world today.
Unit 10: Challenging Times – Emerging as a World Power
During this time, the U.S. became more involved in global affairs, including World War I. Students will learn about the causes of the war, the role the U.S. played, and how the country changed afterward. They will also explore the economic and cultural shifts of the 1920s, including the rise of jazz music, new forms of entertainment, and women gaining the right to vote.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Discuss how the U.S. became more connected to the world through trade, war, and diplomacy.
✅ Explore books or movies about life in the 1910s and 1920s, including the impact of World War I.
✅ Encourage your child to learn about important figures like Woodrow Wilson, the Harlem Renaissance artists, and women’s rights activists.
Unit 11: An Anxious Nation – Creating a More Perfect Union
The 1930s and 1940s were a time of uncertainty in the U.S., as the country faced the Great Depression and later entered World War II. Students will learn about the struggles of this time, including widespread unemployment, the Dust Bowl, and the ways people worked to rebuild the economy. They will also study how World War II changed the U.S. and the world, as well as the contributions of different groups, including women and minorities, to the war effort.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Talk with your child about how people faced challenges during the Great Depression and how they found ways to overcome hardship.
✅ Watch a documentary or visit a museum exhibit about World War II and the home front.
✅ Encourage your child to ask older relatives about family stories from this time period.
These lessons will help students understand how the U.S. changed in the early 20th century and how past events continue to shape our world today. Discussing history at home can help your child make meaningful connections to what they are learning in class!
6th Grade World Cultures – Fourth Six Weeks
Below is an overview of the units your child will be studying in class, along with ideas for how you can support their learning at home.
Unit 08: Unity and Division – South Asia
South Asia is home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations and a rich blend of cultures, religions, and traditions. In this unit, students will explore countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, learning about their history, governments, and economies. They will also examine the challenges of maintaining unity in diverse societies, including religious and political tensions, as well as efforts to modernize while preserving traditions.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Discuss how diversity can bring both strengths and challenges to a country.
✅ Explore South Asian cultures through food, music, or traditional clothing.
✅ Watch a documentary or read about major historical events like India’s independence from Britain or the creation of Pakistan.
Unit 09: Tradition in a Modernizing World – East and Southeast Asia
East and Southeast Asia are regions where ancient traditions and modern advancements exist side by side. Students will study countries like China, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia, exploring their histories, economies, and cultures. They will also learn about modernization, globalization, and how technology is shaping these nations while traditions remain an important part of daily life.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Talk about how countries balance preserving traditions with embracing modern technology and change.
✅ Explore different aspects of Asian culture, such as martial arts, calligraphy, or traditional festivals.
✅ Encourage your child to research how East Asian countries have influenced global trends in technology, fashion, and entertainment.
Unit 10: Adapting Down Under – Pacific Realm
The Pacific Realm includes Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the Pacific Ocean. This unit focuses on how people in this region have adapted to unique environments, including the Outback, tropical islands, and coastal cities. Students will also explore Indigenous cultures, such as the Aboriginal peoples of Australia and the Māori of New Zealand, and examine the impact of colonization and modern development.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Discuss how geography and climate affect how people live, work, and interact with the environment.
✅ Watch a documentary or read about Indigenous cultures in the Pacific region.
✅ Encourage your child to explore the wildlife, landscapes, and traditions of Australia and the Pacific Islands.
By studying these regions, students will gain a deeper understanding of how different cultures, traditions, and histories shape the modern world. Your support at home will help them connect what they learn in class to real-world experiences!
7th Grade Texas History – Fourth Six Weeks
Below is an overview of the upcoming units your child will be studying in class, along with ideas for how you can support their learning at home.
Unit 09: Modernizing Texas in an Age of Oil (1900-1929)
At the start of the 20th century, Texas experienced major economic and social changes, largely driven by the discovery of oil. The Spindletop oil boom in 1901 transformed Texas into a center for the oil industry, bringing new jobs, rapid urban growth, and increased wealth. This period also saw advancements in transportation, communication, and industry, as well as shifts in politics and society, including the women’s suffrage movement in Texas.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Discuss how the discovery of oil changed Texas’ economy and daily life.
✅ Watch a documentary or visit a museum about the Texas oil boom and its impact.
✅ Encourage your child to research how the oil industry still affects Texas today.
Unit 10: Texas During the Great Depression and World War II (1929-1950)
Like the rest of the U.S., Texas struggled during the Great Depression, as farms failed, businesses closed, and many people lost jobs. However, World War II helped revive the economy as Texas became a major center for military training, aircraft production, and oil refining. Many Texans served in the war, and the state played a crucial role in supporting the war effort both at home and abroad.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Talk about how people adapted to challenges during the Great Depression.
✅ Visit a local museum or explore online resources about Texas' role in World War II.
✅ Encourage your child to ask older relatives about family stories from this time period.
Unit 11: Civil Rights and Conservatism Bring Changes (1950-Present)
The second half of the 20th century was a time of major social and political change in Texas. The Civil Rights Movement helped end segregation and expand voting rights for African Americans and Mexican Americans. Meanwhile, Texas saw a rise in conservative politics, with leaders such as Lyndon B. Johnson and later, figures like George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush influencing national policies.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Discuss how civil rights movements shaped Texas and the nation.
✅ Watch a documentary or read about key Texas civil rights leaders.
✅ Encourage your child to think about how political and social movements continue to shape Texas today.
Unit 12: Contemporary Texas (1950-Present)
In the modern era, Texas has grown into a national and global powerhouse in industries such as energy, technology, and agriculture. The state's population has rapidly increased, making it one of the most diverse and economically powerful states in the U.S. Students will explore how Texas’ government, economy, and culture continue to evolve in today’s world.
How Parents Can Help:
✅ Discuss how Texas’ economy has diversified beyond oil into fields like technology and space exploration.
✅ Encourage your child to explore Texas’ role in national and global affairs.
✅ Visit the Texas State Capitol or explore online resources about modern Texas government and policies.
By studying these topics, students will gain a deeper understanding of how Texas’ past continues to influence its present and future. Your support at home will help them connect history to real-life events and discussions!
Contact: Braeden.Loe@ntxca.org